More than 300 graduands attended our three MIT certificate graduation ceremonies at Manukau Campus from 14-16 October.

Audrey Tagiilima’s father, Vaitafa Paleono flew from Samoa to watch her receive a certificate in our second event of the week.


Ms Tagiilima with her father Vaitafa Paeono (left) and uncle just after receiving her certificate

Ms Tagiliima was awarded the New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3 – Police Preparation).

Emotions were running high as Mr Paleono and other family members expressed their pride by singing the beautiful Samoan song – Ua fa’afetai from the back row of the audience. There were hoops and cheers from the crowd as Ms Tagiilima was embraced by her family who adorned her in lei after lei.

Ms Tagiliima, who left Samoa for Aotearoa New Zealand a year ago, says she felt so blessed to be surrounded by family at her graduation.

“The course was awesome. That’s all I can say. Everyone was so lovely there. To get in the police I now have to get my driver’s licence and then do the interview. I want to help my family. It’s my dream job,” she says.


Emotions were running high at all three ceremonies

The certificates were awarded for a diverse range of programmes taught at Ōtara, Manukau, City and TechPark campuses.

The programme areas ranging from maritime, engineering, building and automotive technology through to hairdressing, languages, sport and digital technologies (full list below).

MIT’s Matua Vince Hapi set the tone at the start of each ceremony with a karakia and led the audience in waiata that filled the atrium.


Graduands waiting to be called up to receive their certificates


The biggest ceremony was on Tuesday for the Manukau Campus graduands


Graduands walking into the atrium area to take their seats


Simon Nash Deputy Chief Executive, Learner Experience and Success at our ceremony for Ōtara Campus graduands on Wednesday

Simon Nash, MIT Deputy Chief Executive, Learner Experience and Success spoke to Ōtara campus graduands in our Wednesday ceremony. Dr Nash says going to graduation ceremonies is one the best parts of his job.

“It’s a very special event for me and for all our kaimahi. We are there to support and celebrate our learners when they walk across the stage waving to friends and whānau in the crowd.

“It’s those friends and whānau who have supported them on their journey, so it’s great that they can be there on a day that they’ll all remember for the rest of their lives. There’s a lot of aroha in the room.

“Everyone who gets a certificate this week should be very proud of what they’ve achieved. For some it will lead straight into a new job and others may choose to pathway into further vocational studies before they enter the workforce.

“Whatever they do, they’ll take with them their experience of MIT. That includes not just what they’ve learned on the course but also the relationships they’ve made with other ākonga, teachers and MIT staff. Their MIT journey will always be part of who they are.

“A big thanks to all the kaimahi who worked so hard to organise these amazing ceremonies. Event Manager Trish Cochrane, the Student Support team, the speakers and volunteer kaimahi created three very special evenings for the graduands to celebrate with their friends and whanau. You did MIT proud, so thank you very much.”


An impromptu haka at the conclusion of the ceremony for TechPark graduands on Thursday


MIT kaimahi before the Thursday ceremony

 

Certificates were awarded in the following programme areas – 

TechPark

Automotive Technology, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Plumbing, Gas Fitting and Drain laying, Electrical Trades, General Engineering, Professional Engineering, Building and Civil Construction 

Ōtara Campus

Floristry, Hairdressing, Baking, Culinary and Hospitality, Social Work, Sport, Education,

Languages and Community Education

Manukau and City Campus (Maritime School)

Business, Digital Technologies, Health & Counselling, Logistics and New Zealand Maritime School

 

Graduate profiles –

Prakashni Prakash
Special award for English


Ms Prakash with her interpreter Taryn Banks (left) and MIT kaimahi

Deaf from birth and in a wheelchair, Ms Prakash has an interpreter who attends class with her. Prakashni completed most of the requirements for the NZ Certificate in English Language (level 2).

Ms Prakash: “I have made some lovely friends at MIT. Lovely hearing friends. It’s like a family. It’s really nice. They sign good morning to me and how are you? They’re really funny. Those are my friends. They’re really lovely.”

“The support is really good at MIT. MIT’s Disability Support support me and my tutor supports me. I have a lovely teacher, lovely interpreter and note taker.

“I felt really happy, it was the first time I graduated with something. It really boosted my confidence; I felt a sense of achievement and acknowledging that I can achieve things.”

“Friends were there supporting me. It was lovely, so nice. It was exciting. I was very happy.”

“I came to build my English skills, like grammar, and different aspects of English.”

 

Mia MacMillan, Aisa Ibrahim and Tristan Scott
NZ Certificate in Plumbing, Gasfitting and Drainlaying (level3)


From left Aisa Ibrahim, Mia MacMillan and Tristan Scott became good friends during their time at MIT

The three did not know each other before the course but became good friends. Ms MacMillan and Mr Scott now have plumbing apprenticeships.

Ms MacMillan: ”The course was great. There was a great mix of practical and bookwork. Our tutor was incredible. Love John (Lecturer John Macdonald). MIT’s done a great job. We became good friends. I miss these guys.”

“Facilities were great. We had all the technology we needed; all the tools.”

“I already have a job. I’m an apprentice and I’ll come back and do my block courses at TechPark. I’m looking forward to coming back. So good. So much fun. One of the few girls on the tools. It’s great.”

 

Shoaib Ahmed and Rauishy Dabb
NZ Certificate in Automotive Engineering (Level 3)


Shoaib Ahmed (third from right) and Rauishy Dabb (fourth from right) with family

Friends through the same soccer team before they started the programme.

Shoaib Ahmed: “It’s a great achievement that we’ve managed to do achieve together. Really liked the course. I like working on cars and now we work on our own cars.”